Cover your tracks

Are you worried that someone might find out you have visited this site? Please read the information below which is designed to help you ‘cover your tracks’ or hide evidence that you have visited our website.

Leaving the site quickly

Need to click away quickly? The ‘leave this page quickly’ button in the bottom right hand corner of every page will take you directly to the BBC website.

Alternatively, there is a shortcut on your keyboard which will close down your computer instantly:

Windows – ALT key and F4
Apple Macintosh – Apple Key and W

Email

Make sure you choose a password that is not easy to guess. Always make sure you log out of your email before leaving the computer.

If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing e-mail messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse.

Your Computers History and Cache

A cache is a file that automatically saves web pages and graphics. If an abuser knows how to read your computer’s history or cache file, they may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the internet. You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your browser’s settings. Below are details of how to get rid of these for each type of browser:

Firefox (Mac)

Click the tools menu and then scroll down to ‘Clear recent history’ before selecting it.

You can then choose the amount of history you want to delete

Before confirming, click on the ‘details’ link and select all options

Firefox (PC)

Click the tools menu and then scroll down to ‘Clear recent history’ before selecting it.

You can then choose the amount of history you want to delete

Before confirming, click on the ‘details’ link and select all options

Safari (MAC)

Once your browser is open, click on the Safari menu and scroll down to ‘Empty Cache’. This will remove stored files.

To then delete your history, select the history menu option and scroll down to ‘Clear History.

Safari (PC)

Once your browser is open, click on the edit menu option and scroll down to ‘Empty Cache’. This will remove stored files.

To then delete your history, select the history menu option and scroll down to ‘Clear History.

Chrome (MAC)

Once your browser is open, select the Tools menu (the wrench in the upper-right corner) and select Options.

On the Under the Hood tab, click the Clear Browsing data button.

Select the Empty the cache check-box.

You can also choose the period of time you wish to delete cached information using the Clear data from this period dropdown menu.

Click the Clear Browsing Data button.

Chrome (PC)

Once your browser is open, select the Tools menu (the wrench in the upper-right corner) and select Options.

On the Under the Hood tab, click the Clear Browsing data button.

Select the Empty the cache check-box.

You can also choose the period of time you wish to delete cached information using the Clear data from this period dropdown menu.

Click the Clear Browsing Data button.

Internet Explorer 9

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. In the General page under Browser History, select the Delete… button. Either select and Delete each section: Temporary internet files; Cookies, History; Forms data and Passwords; or select the Delete all… button at the bottom to clear everything.

Internet Explorer 8

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. In the General page under Browser History, select the Delete… button. Either select and Delete each section: Temporary internet files; Cookies, History; Forms data and Passwords; or select the Delete all… button at the bottom to clear everything.

Internet Explorer 7

Click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. In the General page under Browser History, select the Delete… button. Either select and Delete each section: Temporary internet files; Cookies, History; Forms data and Passwords; or select the Delete all… button at the bottom to clear everything.